Track/race car - legalities of transporting on the road
Discussion
I've occasionally taken part in some local amatuer motor club events and next year am debating obtaining a national B racing licence to participate in more serious events. I'm looking to run a car that's not road legal ideally, as it'll give me more freedom to tune and modify it and not have to worry about getting it all MOT-worthy.
I do have access to a trailer and tow vehicle, but would prefer to look into other methods of transporting the vehicle as using the trailer I have combined with the tow vehicle is a pain (VERY large trailer, VERY thirsty tow vehicle!)
A few of the competitors at the same events use dollies (guessing your towed car is now effectively a heavy trailer?), or A-frames to tow vehicles to the location. What are the legalities of this? An A-frame could be a winner for me (I have access to one), but I've heard you're only allowed to use them in the event of a breakdown? I've also wondered how the MOT affects a towed vehicle; if for example a wheel bearing was so knackered on a vehicle with an expired MOT that it became unstable when being towed, or worse a wheel actually fell off, how is that governed? Does the vehicle become a 'trailer' if it's not actually moving under it's own steam (more to the point, what happens if a trailer wheel falls off?!)
Basically, what sort of options do I have to transport a car that I'm not planning to keep road legal?
Many thanks.
I do have access to a trailer and tow vehicle, but would prefer to look into other methods of transporting the vehicle as using the trailer I have combined with the tow vehicle is a pain (VERY large trailer, VERY thirsty tow vehicle!)
A few of the competitors at the same events use dollies (guessing your towed car is now effectively a heavy trailer?), or A-frames to tow vehicles to the location. What are the legalities of this? An A-frame could be a winner for me (I have access to one), but I've heard you're only allowed to use them in the event of a breakdown? I've also wondered how the MOT affects a towed vehicle; if for example a wheel bearing was so knackered on a vehicle with an expired MOT that it became unstable when being towed, or worse a wheel actually fell off, how is that governed? Does the vehicle become a 'trailer' if it's not actually moving under it's own steam (more to the point, what happens if a trailer wheel falls off?!)
Basically, what sort of options do I have to transport a car that I'm not planning to keep road legal?
Many thanks.
Dollies (where the front wheels of the towed vehicle are off the ground) are fine, as you say it effectively turns the towed vehicle into a trailer.
A-frames on the other hand are not. If all four wheels of the towed vehicle are on the ground it needs tax and mot as far as I can remember.
A-frames on the other hand are not. If all four wheels of the towed vehicle are on the ground it needs tax and mot as far as I can remember.
From the FAQ in this very forum
FAQ said:
Dollies
The use of “dollies” is intended for the recovery of broken down vehicles, not for the transportation of a vehicle from “A” to “B”.
Under Regulation 83 of C&U a motor car is permitted to tow two trailers when one of them is a towing implement and the other is secured to and either rests on or is suspended from the implement. When used for recovering broken down vehicles “dollies” are exempt from having an operational braking system fitted, provided that the towing vehicle is capable of meeting the minimum prescribed braking requirements for the combination. However, if “dollies” are used for the transportation of perfectly functioning vehicles they will need to fitted with an operational braking system. Additionally the brakes on the wheels of the towed car which are in contact with the road must work and meet the specified 50% braking efficiency required for a trailer. The dolly would also be required by Regulation 22 of C&U to be fitted with suspension. Regulations 19 and 22 in C&U permit a broken down vehicle to be recovered without complying with these requirements. However, there is further legislation under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 that introduces a limitation on the maximum speed that the combination can be driven; this is 40mph on motorways and 20mph on other roads.
So your legal options are proper trailer or car transporter.The use of “dollies” is intended for the recovery of broken down vehicles, not for the transportation of a vehicle from “A” to “B”.
Under Regulation 83 of C&U a motor car is permitted to tow two trailers when one of them is a towing implement and the other is secured to and either rests on or is suspended from the implement. When used for recovering broken down vehicles “dollies” are exempt from having an operational braking system fitted, provided that the towing vehicle is capable of meeting the minimum prescribed braking requirements for the combination. However, if “dollies” are used for the transportation of perfectly functioning vehicles they will need to fitted with an operational braking system. Additionally the brakes on the wheels of the towed car which are in contact with the road must work and meet the specified 50% braking efficiency required for a trailer. The dolly would also be required by Regulation 22 of C&U to be fitted with suspension. Regulations 19 and 22 in C&U permit a broken down vehicle to be recovered without complying with these requirements. However, there is further legislation under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 that introduces a limitation on the maximum speed that the combination can be driven; this is 40mph on motorways and 20mph on other roads.
Frazzly said:
Dollies (where the front wheels of the towed vehicle are off the ground) are fine, as you say it effectively turns the towed vehicle into a trailer.
A-frames on the other hand are not. If all four wheels of the towed vehicle are on the ground it needs tax and mot as far as I can remember.
A-frame or dolly and the towed car becomes a trailer and all trailer regulations apply. If over 750kg it needs brakes, even if under 750kg if brakes are fitted they must work.A-frames on the other hand are not. If all four wheels of the towed vehicle are on the ground it needs tax and mot as far as I can remember.
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